A new study indicates a sharp rise in the number of young nurses entering the profession. Although the results are promising, researchers fear that this increase will not be enough to meet demand, especially in specialties like geriatrics.

The study, published in the December issue of Health Affairs, revealed a drastic increase in the number of full-time registered nurses ages 23-26 entering the workforce. 165,000 of these young nurses joined the workforce in 2009. That number is 62 percent greater than the 102,000 young nurses who entered the workforce in 2002. It was previously thought that America would experience a shortage of 400,000 registered nurses by 2020, but if new nurses continue to join the workforce at the current rate, researchers believe this shortage could be postponed ten years.

Although the results are promising, researchers warn that this could be a temporary effect due to the sluggish economy and a decline in manufacturing jobs. As the economy improves and other careers become more attractive, fewer people may decide to pursue a career in nursing. Citing a continued shortage of nurses specializing in geriatrics and other specialties in high demand, the report also states that it is “unclear whether we are producing the workforce ideally suited for population needs.”

Read more about the study in the Washington Post article: Study Finds Surge in Young Nurses over Past Decade but Not Yet Clear if There Will Be Enough and in the Wall Street Journal’s Health Blog post: Whither the Nursing Shortage.

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